Our series “How I became a …” digs into the stories of accomplished and influential people, finding out how they got to where they are in their careers.

From movies and television to radio and fashion, La La Anthony is no stranger to taking up space in the entertainment industry. Currently, Anthony is dominating the small screen as LaKeisha Grant on Starz’ “Power” – which debuts its final season August 25 – and Shay on “BH90210,” as well as taking the reins as a producer on the project “Intercepted” with 50 Cent.

USA TODAY caught up with Anthony to talk about everything from Michelle Obama and Drake to her iconic VJ role on MTV’s "Total Request Live" and her passion for getting to know her characters.

Question: How did you get your start in the business?

La La Anthony: I started interning at a radio station in Atlanta, and from there I became a radio personality. I moved to LA and then got the job as the host of “Total Request Live” on MTV and I moved to New York and became one of the hosts of MTV, and that’s where my career continued to go from there. From there, I transitioned into acting and producing and writing books and other things like that.

Q: What does a typical workday look like for you?

Anthony: I wake up, depending on my call time on set. I just wrapped up “BH90210,” so I’ve been working in Vancouver on that show. So, early call times – maybe a 5 a.m. wake up, have a moment, say a quick prayer, brush my teeth, get myself together, go to work – and then I’m pretty much on set every day until super late, just filming or spending a lot of time in my trailer reading books or on my computer, different things while I’m waiting between scenes. Normally, those can be 14-hour days. I don’t have a lot of time, but in any free time I have that’s completely occupied by my son and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Anthony: I love acting. It’s my passion. I love being able to play different characters, I love exploring different things about these characters, I love being on set, I love the camaraderie of being on a show with other people for a long time and the bonds and friendships that you form from doing that. I’m really loving to produce as well because you can create your own content and create jobs for other people and yourself, and you’re not just waiting around. Those are two of the things that I love and have really been focusing a lot of my time and attention on.

Q: What do you credit your success to?

Anthony: Hard work and perseverance: never giving up. In this business, it’s really easy to give up, because people are telling you “no” all the time or doors are getting slammed in your face all the time, especially in acting with auditioning or going up for certain roles. You have to have a thick skin and persevere through all of that, so I would definitely say it starts with hard work and not giving up.

Q: How do you balance work, life, and such a busy schedule?

Anthony: I have a great family that supports me and helps me out with juggling everything. I only have one child, which works for me because I’m able to be present in every part of his life, and I don’t feel like I’m getting pulled a million different ways. I also am grateful that I work in a career and a business where, a lot of the times, I can bring my kid to work with me or he can come to sets, he can come to photo shoots, and be a part of what I’m doing, and (I’m) not feel like I’m leaving him behind or he’s left out. That has always helped me a lot.

Q: What have been some of your career highlights?

Anthony: I would definitely say that hosting TRL is a highlight and a memory, because when we're doing it, we loved it – but looking back now at what an iconic show TRL was, and sitting in Times Square every day with thousands of kids everywhere, interviewing the who’s who of pop culture – it was such a moment in time, and that’s a show people will never forget. To be such an intricate part of that was definitely a highlight. Another highlight was being part of the “Think Like a Man” franchise that I starred in with Kevin Hart and Gabrielle Union and Taraji P. Henson and Regina (Hall) and Jerry Ferrara and Michael Ealy and all of these amazing people that I’m still really close friends with. And then, “Power.” “Power,” to me, is the best show on television and to have been part of something so iconic for six seasons – we’re entering into our last season now, which is going to premiere on August 25 – is something I’m super, super proud of. I think “Power” is a show that will be talked about long after it’s not on the air anymore.

Q: What’s one of the hardest lessons you’ve learned during your career?

Anthony: Staying positive and believing in yourself is hard sometimes. To continue to be your own biggest fan and root for yourself is something other people won’t do for you; that is a lesson and a skill that you kind of have to practice every day.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Anthony: Find something that you love to do. If you love to do something, it’s not going to ever feel like a job. Really go hard at whatever it is your passion is and what you love to do. Research and educate yourself, and put yourself in the right positions to succeed in whatever it is you love to do. At the end of the day, it’s a such a cliché thing, but hard work really does pay off. You can’t beat hard work and just being present and being there. Also, make sure you make a plan. You know what you want to do, you know what your passion is, make a plan and follow your plan: you can’t just be out here trying to freestyle and hope it all comes together.

Quick hits

• What is your favorite book? "Becoming" by Michelle Obama, and then I have a daily prayer book on the side of my bed that gives you a daily prayer for motivation and to kind of get through that day, so that stays by my bed and is something I reach to every day.

• What is your favorite song of the moment? “No Guidance” by Chris Brown ft. Drake

• Who has been one of your biggest mentors? My mom – she’s not in the business, but has always guided me to make smart decisions and has given me really sound advice along the way.